Printing-machine.



PATENTED MAR. 8, 1904.

"G. P. READ. PRINTINGMAGHINE.

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PATENTED MAR G. P. READ.

PRINTING MACHINE.

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UNITED STATES Patented March 8; 1964.

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE F. READ, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO ROBERT HOE AND CHARLES W. OAR- PENTER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PRINTING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 753,914, dated. March 8, 1904:.

Application filed April 30, 1900.

T0 ail whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. READ, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Printing-Machines, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in rotary planographic printing machines.

In rotary printing-machines printing from planographic surfaces, the surfaces, which are usually of aluminium or zinc, are subjected to certain preparatory operationssuch, for instance, as treating with acids, gumming, &c. after they are placed in position on the formcarrier. In such machines employing more than one printing couple it is desirable to arrange the couples with the impression members thereof between the form-carrying members, so that the form-carrying members are conveniently accessible from the outside of the machine, and, furthermore, in orderthat the operations referred to may not be interfered with by the impression members it is also desirable to so construct the machine that the members of the couples may be separated.

Furthermore, in rotary printing-machines employing planographic surfaces it is desirable to construct the inking mechanisms so that they can be moved away from the surfaces on the form-carriers, not only in order to permit the operations hereinbefore referred to, but also to facilitate the operation of inking upthat is, to cause the ink to become thoroughly mixed, broken up, and distributed on the surfaces of the several rolls by Whichthe ink is transmitted from the fountains to the forms.

As is well known, in planographic printingmachines it is necessary that the printing-surfaces be dampened between printing operations,and various devices are well known in the art by which this operation is accomplished.

It is one of the objects of this invention to construct a rotary planographic printing-machine which has theimpression members so Serial N 0. 14,805. (No model.)

order to enable them to be moved toward and away from the form-carrying members, thus permitting the inking-up operation to be performed without inking the forms and also permitting the carrying out of the other operations to which the forms are necessarily subjected.

A further object of theinvention is to provide an improved construction for controlling the damping mechanisms, and thus varying the amountof moisture which is conveyed by them to the forms.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in certain constructions and in certain parts, improvements, and combinations, as will be hereinafter described and then specifically pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate the same parts,

.Figure l is a side elevation of arotary planographic printing-machine constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is asectional side elevation of the machine on-the line 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 isa detail plan view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, illustrating the means for controlling the printing-couple-driving trains. Fig. 4 is a detail elevation, on a large scale, of the inking mechanisms'of one of the couples. Fig. 5 is a detail elevation, on a large scale, illustrating, the means for moving one pair of the form-rollers. Fig. 6 is an elevation, partly in section, of the construction shown in Fig. 5, the view being taken in the direction ofthe arrow shownin that figure. Fig. 7 is a. sectional view on the line 7 7 of Fig. 5. Fig. 8

is a sectional view on the line 8 8 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, which disclose. one embodiment of the invention, 1 indicates the frame of the machine, which may be of ing members.

any suitable or desired construction or configuration. In the present machine, which is a machine of the multicolor type, the frame sustains three printing-couples. One of these printing-couples consists of a form-carrying member 2, mounted on a shaft 3, and an impression member 4, mounted on a shaft 5. The other printing-couples have a common impression member 6, mounted on a shaft 7, with which the two form-carrying members cooperate, one of these members consisting of a cylinder 8, mounted on a shaft 9, and the other a cylinder 10, mounted on a shaft 11.

In the present machine the form-carriers are provided with planographic surfaces, preferably consisting of aluminium plates, and in order to render these surfaces accessible, so that they may be treated with acid and gummed, and to enable such other operations as may be necessary to be carried out the couples are preferably arranged, as shown, with the impression members between the form-carry- To further facilitate the operations on the printing-surfaces, the couples are also preferably arranged so that their members may be separated. In the machine shown the couples are arranged so that the impression members are moved away from the formcarrying members, and this is the preferable construction.

Various devices may be used for moving the impression members away from the form-carrying members. In the construction shown the shafts 5 and 7, which carry the impression members4and 6, are mounted in sliding boxes 12 and 13, these boxes being arranged in suitable ways on each side of the machine. The boxes 12 have connected to them links 14, the ends of which are threaded, as shown. The threaded ends of the links 14 engage nuts 15, which are located in recesses in blocks 16, fixedly mounted on the frame, said nuts being arranged to be rotated in the recesses. The rotation of the nuts is effected, preferably, by providing the exterior of the nuts with teeth, so that they form gears. These gears mesh with worms formed on the upper ends of vertical rods 17, mounted in suitable hearings in the frame. The rods 17 are provided at'their lower ends with bevel-gears 18, said gears meshing in turn with bevel-gears 19, mounted on a shaft 20, extending across the machine. The shaft 20 is provided with any suitable means for rotating itas, for instance, a handwheel 21. In the same way the boxes 13 have connected to them links 22, which engage worm-nuts 23, said nuts being located in recesses in blocks 24 and being rotated by worms formed on vertical rods 25, located in suitable hearings in the frame. The rods 25 are also provided with gears 26, which engage with gears 27, mounted on a crossshaft 28, said shaft being also provided with a hand-wheel 29 for turning it. It is obvious that by rotating the hand-wheels the impression-surfaces will be moved toward .and away from the form-carrying members.

Any suitable construction may be used for driving the printing-couples. In the machine shown, however, the main shaft 30, which is provided with any suitable driving means and is located at the bottom of the frame near the center, has secured thereto a gear 31, which meshes with a gear 32, said gear being preferably slidingly mounted on a stud 33, extending from the frame. The hub of the gear 32 is provided with a collar 34, which is engaged by the hooked ends of short rods 35. These rods 35 extend through one of the side frames and are connected at their inner ends by a cross-bar 36. This cross-bar 36 receives the threaded end of a rod 37, which passes through a bearing 38, bracketed to the inside of the side frame and which is provided at its outer end with a hand-wheel 39.

The gear 32 meshes with a gear 40, mounted on a stud on the frame, said gear meshing in turn with a gear 41, mounted on the impression-cylinder shaft 7. The gear 32 also meshes with agear 42, said gear in turn meshing with an intermediate 43. The intermediate 43 meshes with a gear 44, mounted on the shaft 5 of the impression-cylinder 4. It will be noted that the gears and 42 are somewhat broader in face than the gear 32, which gear has substantially the ,same face as the gear 31.

The parts being constructed as described, it will be seen that by operating the handwheel 39 the gear 32 may be moved toward and away from the frame, and therefore out of mesh with the gear 31, so as to disconnect the driving-trains of the impression-cylinders from the power-shaft. Inasmuch, however, as the gears 40 and 42 have a broader face than the gear 32 the movement of the gear 32 will not cause it to pass out of mesh with these gears, and the relations of the impression cylinders will therefore not be interfered with by the movement of the gear 32.

While the form-cylinders may be driven in any suitable manner,-the shafts 3 and 9 will preferably be provided with gears 45 and 46, respectively, the gear 45 meshing with the gear 44 on the shaft 5 and the gear 46 meshing with the gear 41 on the shaft 7 The shaft 11 is also provided with a gear 48, which meshes with the gear 41. It will thus be seen that by the operation of the hand-wheel 39 the parts of these printing-couples are disconnected from the power-shaft.

The inking mechanisms in the present machine are driven by trains of gearing which are independent of the mechanism by which the printing couples are driven. Various means may be used for driving the inking mechanisms. In the machine shown the power-shaft 30 is provided with a bevel-gear 49, which meshes with a similar gear 50 on a shaft 51, mounted in suitable bearings 52 on the side of the frame. The shaft 51 is also provided with a bevel-gear 53, said gear meshing with a similar gear 54, mounted on a shaft 55, extending across the machine. Theshaft 55 is provided with a pinion 56, said pinion meshing with an intermediate 57, mounted on a stud 58, extending from the frame, from which intermediate the inking mechanism at this end of the machine will be driven. Similarly the gear 49, before referred to as on the powershaft, meshes with a bevel-gear on a shaft 61, said shaft being mounted in suitable bearings 62, supported on the frame. The shaft 61 is provided with a bevel-gear 63, said gear meshing with a similar gear 64, mounted on a shaft 65, extending across the machine from side to side. This shaft 65 carries a gear 66, which meshes with an intermediate 67, mounted on a stud 68, extending from the frame,

'said intermediate 67 operating to drive the inking mechanism on the lower left-hand side of the machine. The shaft 61 also carries another bevel-gear 69, said gear meshing with a similar'gear 7 O on a vertical shaft 71, which is supported in bearings secured to the frame. The shaft 71 has on its upper end a bevelgear 7 2, whichmeshes with a similar gear on a shaft 73. The shaft 73 has on it a gear 73,

serving to drive the inking mechanism at the upper left-hand side of the machine.

The inking mechanisms may be of any suitable form or construction. In the machine shown the inking mechanisms for each couple are alike, and a description of one of them will therefore suflice for all- In the present machine the ink is derived from a fountain 75, which is provided with the usual fountain-roller 76, operated in any suitable manner. From this fountain-roller the ink is transmitted by a suitable ductor 77 to a primary distributing-roll 78, said roll forming one of a pair of primary distributingrolls 78 7 9. The ductor 77 may be operated by any suitable or desired construction. In the construction shown, however, the shaft of the ductor is mounted in a pair of-arms 7 7, said arms being secured to a shaft 77", suitably-mounted inthe frame. From the shaft 77 b an arm 7 7 0 extends, and to said arm is secured a yoke 7 7 which is operated by a cam on a cam-shaft 7 7 There are a plurality of these shafts 77 one for each group of inking mechanisms, and the several shafts 7 7 e areparallel to the shafts 55, 65, and 73, which, it will be remembered, are the shafts which carry the gears which drive the inking mechanisms. Each of the shafts 7 7 e carries a gear 77 and these gears mesh with pinions 55,

65', and 73 on the shafts 55, 65,- and 7 3, respectively.

. The primary distributing-rolls 78 and 79 are preferably caused to vibrate for reasons well understood. The vibration of the primary-distributing-rolls may be effected in any suitable manner. Preferably, however, and in the construction shown the rolls are provided with As each of the cam-shafts 7 7 rotates, therefore, one of its cams causes the operation of the ductor-roll and the other causes the vibration of the primary distributing-rolls.

The ink from the primary distributing-roll 78 (see Fig. 4) is transmitted by means of a v rider-roll 80 to the distributing-roll 79. The ink from the primary distributing-roll 78 is also transmitted by means of a rider-roll 81 to a secondary distributing-roll 82 and from this roll to two form-rollers 83 84, which will be hereinafter more fully described. The ink from the primary distributing-roll 7 9 is transmitted by means of a rider-roll 85 to a secondary distributing-roll 86, and from this roll it is transmitted to the form by the formrollers 87 88.

In the present machine the shafts of the rolls 78 79 of each set of inking mechanisms are provided with pinions 89 90, the pinions of each set of inking mechanisms being in mesh with the intermediates 57 67 and gear 7 3, before referred to. The pinion 89 meshes with an intermediate 91, mounted on astud 92, extending from the frame. This intermediate 91 meshes with a gear 93, mounted on a shaft 94, which carries the secondary distributingroll 82. The pinion meshes with an intermediate 95, mounted on a stud 96, said intermediate meshing with a pinion 97, mounted so-as not to move out of contact with'the distributing-rollers 82 86, and the construction.

by which this movement is effected may be varied within wide limits. In themachine shown, however, the shafts which carry the several secondary distributing-rolls and ofwhich the shaft 94 is a type are preferably made short enough so thattheydo not quite extend through the sides of the frames (see Figs. 6 and 7) and are supported in bushings 98. The outer ends of these bushings are preferably threaded and are engaged by studs 99,

the inner ends of which are threaded and there being one of these studs on each side of the machine. Mounted on the stud 99, which en-.

gages with the bushing which carries the end of the shaft 94, are arms and 101, these arms being 'held in position on the stud by washers 102 and screws 103 or in any other suitable manner. It will be understood that there are two arms 100, one on each side of the machine, and two arms 101, one on each side of the machine. The arms 100 carry studs.

IIO

104, and these studs serve to support blocks 105, said blocks being provided with openings which slip over the studs 104, the blocks being locked in position by means of wingnuts 106. The arms 100 support bearings 107, into which are .tapped adjusting-screws 108. By this construction the blocks 105 are made adjustable about the pivotal points 104. The blocks 105 carry bearings 109, which serve to support the shaft 110 of the roller 83. The bearings 109 have threaded stems 111, which engage nuts 112, located in recesses in the blocks 105. It will be seen that by the construction which has just been described the roller 83 can be given a radial adjustment toward and from the studs 99, about which the arms 100 swing, and that it can also be given an angular adjustment substantially about said center, although it is in reality about the center 104. Similarly the arms 101 carry blocks 113, which are pivoted to the arms at 114 and are secured in position by wing-nuts 115. The arms 101 also carry bearings 116, in which are mounted adjusting-screws 117. The blocks 113 support bearings 118, in which is journaled the shaft 119 of the roller 84, said bearings being provided with threaded stems 120, which engage nuts 121, located in recesses in the blocks 113.

It is apparent that by swinging the arms 100 101 about the studs 99 as centers the formrollers 83 84 will be moved away from the path of the forms; but since their axis of rotation is the same as that of the shaft 94, which carries the secondary distributingroll, this movement of the rollers 83 84 will not move them out of contact with said secondary distributing-roll.

Various means may be used for moving the arms 100 101 around the shaft 94 in the manner described. In the machine shown the arms 100 have pivoted to them links 120, and the arms 101 have connected to them links 121. These links 120 and 121' are connected to pins 122 123, said pins being secured to the ends of the shaft 124, which extends across the machine from side to side. By rotating the shaft 124 it is obvious that the arms 100 101 will be caused to move about the studs 99 as centers, and will consequently move the form-rollers 83 84 in the arc of a circle and toward and away from the path of the forms on the form-carrier. The form-rollers 87 88 are supported in arms which are in all respects similar to the arms 100 101, which have just been described, and these arms are similarly connected by links 120 121 to a shaft 124.

Any suitable means may be employed for rocking the shafts 124. In the machine shown, however, each of the shafts 124 (for it will be remembered that there are two of these shafts for the inking mechanisms for each form-carrier) is provided with a segment-arm 125, the segment-arms for the various members being preferably located on one side of the machine.

The means for operating the segment-arms to produce the rotation of the shafts 124 may be variously constructed. In the machine shown there is provided a worm-shaft 126, supported in bearings 127 on the frames of the machine. This shaft 126 is provided with worms 128, so located as to engage the arms 125 of the groups of inking mechanisms which operate in connection with the form-carriers 2 and 8. The shaft 126 may be operated in any suitable manner as, for instance, by a hand -wheel 129. he shaft 126 is further provided with a bevel-gear 130, which engages with a similar gear 131 on a shaft 132, supported in bearings 133 on the frame of the machine. The shaft 132 is provided with worms 134, so disposed as to engage the arms 125 of the inking mechanism for the form-carrier 10. The construction being as described, it is obvious that by rotating the worm-shaft 126 the formrollers 83, 84, 87, and 88 of each inking mechanism will be moved toward and away from the path of movement of the form-carriers.

Inasmuch as the machine forming the subject of this application is primarily intended for printing from planographic surfaces, it is necessary to provide suitable damping mechanisms. While any suitable form of damping mechanisms may be used with the machine, it is desirable to construct the machine so that all the damping mechanisms may be conveniently operated simultaneously and yet to provide for an adjustment so that the amount of moisture delivered by each damping mechanism can be controlled. The construction of the damping mechanism by which the purpose referred to is carried out may be varied widely. Preferably, however, the machine will be provided with a sliding bar 135, located in suitable bearings 136 on the frame of the machine. This sliding bar is provided with operating-cams 137 138 139, said cams being secured to and made adjustable on the bar in any suitable manner. In the construction shown the cams are slotted and secured by set-screws of the ordinary form. While three operating-cams are shown in the present machine, it will be understood that the number of cams will vary according to the number of form-carriers employed.

The damping mechanisms shown embody the usual fountains 140, provided with the usual fountain-rollers 141. From the fountain-rollers 141 the moisture is taken, by means of ductors 142, to damping-rollers 143, by which the moisture is delivered to the forms. The shafts of the ductors 142 are mounted in arms 144, which extend from shafts 145, suitably journaled in the frame. Each of the shafts 145 has connected to it an arm 146, by which the shafts are rocked. The arm 146 of the damping mechanism, which operates in connection with the form-carrier 10, is connected by means of a rod 147 to a lever 148, pivoted to the frame of the machine. This lever is provided with a roll 149, which operates in con- I arms 151 of a bell-crank 151 152, the arm 152 of the bell-crank being provided with a roll 1 53, which operates in connection with the cam 137. The arm 146 of the damping mechanism, which operates in connection with the form-carrier 2, is connected, by means of a rod 154:, to one arm, 155, of a. bell-crank 155 156, the arm 156 of said bell-crank being provided with a roll 157, which operates in connection with the-cam 139.

The construction being as shown, it is obvious that the reciprocation of the slide 135 will operate the ductors of each of the damping mechanisms. Any suitable mechanism may be employed for operating the slide 135. In

.the machine shown there is provided a bellcrank'l58 159, said bell-crank being pivoted to the frame of the machine at 160. The arm 158 of the bell-crank is connected, by a link 161, to the slide, and the arm 159 of the bellcrank is connected, by a link 162, to a crankpin 163 on the shaft 7 of the impression-cylinder 6. As this impression-cylinder rotates, therefore," it will be seen that the slide will be given a movement for each rotation of the cylinder and the ductors will be caused to op.- erate once for each two rotations of the formcarriers, which practical experience has shown to be as often as the ductors will be required to be operated. It is of course to be understood, however, that the mechanism can be readily varied so as to produce more operations of the ductors, if required.

' The amount of moisture which is transmitted by the ductors from the fountain-rolls to the moistening-rolls depends upon the length of time the ductors remain in contact with the fountain-rolls. By making the cams 137 138 139 adjustable on the slides the time during which the ductors remain in contact with the fountain-rolls is readily controlled. In this connection attention is called to the fact that the beveled portions of the cams operate to raise the ductors againstthe fountain-rolls and the ductors remain in contact with the fountain-rolls as long as the cam-rolls 149 153 157 remain in contactwith the plane pbrtions of the cams. I

It will be understood that the various mechanismsby which this invention is carried into effect may be varied widely, and it will be further understood that while the mechanisms are primarily designed for use in connection with a planographic machine some of them are useful on machines which print from surfaces other than planographic. The invention is not, therefore, to be limited to the specific details of construction which have been 'hereinbefore described nor to use with the particular class of machines referred to.

What I claim is 1. In a printing-machine, the combination with a plurality of printing-couples, the impression members of which are arranged between the form-carrying members, of independent moving means for one of the members of each couple said means operating to move said members toward and away from their cooperating members, substantially as described.

2. In a printing-machine, the combination with a plurality of printing-couples, the impression members of which are arranged between the form-carrying members, boxes in which the shafts of the impression members are mounted, ways in the machine-frame in which the boxes move, and independent means for moving the boxes whereby said impression members can be independently operated, sub: stantially 'asdescribed.

3. In a printing-machine, the combination with a plurality of printing-couples having the impression members arranged between the form-carrying members, of sliding boxes in which the shafts of the impression members are mounted, ways in the machine-frame in which the boxes move, an independent operating-shaft for each couple and connections between the shafts and the boxes'whereby rotation of the shafts causes movement of the boxes, substantially as described.

4. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, ofsliding boxes in which the shaft of the impression member of the couple is mounted, substantially horizontal ways in which the boxes move, threaded links connected to the boxes, nuts which are engaged by the links, and means for rotating the nuts to move the boxes, substantially as described.

5. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of sliding boxes in which the shaft of the impression member of the couple is mounted, substantially horizontal ways in which the boxes move, threaded links connected to the boxes, nuts which are engaged by the links, a shaft extending across the machine from side to side, and means whereby a rotation of the shaft causes a rotation of the nuts and a movement of the boxes, substantially as described.

6. In a printing-machine employing a plurality of printing-couples, the impression members of which are arranged between the form-carrying members whereby said formcarrying members are readily accessible for the purpose of making ready, the combination with the form-carrying members thereof, of a plurality of inking mechanisms, a'shaft extendingalong the machine, and means whereby a rotation of the shaftcauses the form-rollers of the inking mechanisms to move toward and away from the paths of the forms, substantially as described.

7. In a printing-machine employing a plurality of printing-couples, the impression members of which are arranged between the form-carrying members whereby said formcarrying members are readily accessible for the purpose of making ready, the combination with the form-carrying members thereof, of a plurality of inking mechanisms, a shaft extending along the machine, means whereby a rotation of the shaft causes the form-rollers of the inking mechanisms to move toward and away from the paths of the forms, means for driving the printing-couples, and independent means for driving the inking mechanisms, substantially as described.

8. In a printing-machine employing a plurality of printing-couples, the combination with the form-carrying members thereof, of a plurality of inking mechanisms, aworm-shaft, segment-arms operated by the worm-shaft, and connections between the segment-arms and the bearings for the form-rollers, whereby a movement of the arms causes the rollers to move toward and away from the paths of the forms, substantially as described.

9. In a printing-machine employing a plurality of printing-couples, the combination with the form-carrying members thereof, of a plurality of inking mechanisms, a worm-shaft, segment-arms operated by the worm-shaft, connections between the segment-arms and the bearings for the form-rollers,whereby a movement of the arms causes the rollers to move toward and away from the paths of the forms, means for driving the printing-couples, and independent means for driving the inking mechanisms, substantially as described.

10. In a printing-machine, the combination with a form-carrier, of form-rollers therefor, pivoted arms in which the bearings for the form-rollers are mounted, a normally stationary shaft, links between the shaft and the pivoted arms, whereby a movement of the shaft causes a movement of the arms on their pivots, and means for rotating the shaft, substantially as described.

11. In a printing-machine, the combination with a form-carrier, of form-rollers therefor, a distributing-roll with which the form-rollers are in contact, arms pivoted on the shaft of the distributing-roll, said arms carrying bearings for the form-rollers, a normally stationary shaft, links between the shaft and the pivoted arms, whereby a movement of the shaft causes a movement of the arms on their pivots, and means for rotating the shaft, substantially as described.

12. In a printing-machine, the combination with a form-carrier, of form-rollers therefor, pivoted arms in which the bearings for the form-rollers are mounted, a shaft, links between the shaft and the pivoted arms whereby a movement of the shaft causes a movement of the arms on their pivots, a segment for rotating the shaft, and means for operating the segment, substantially as described.

13. In a printing-machine, the combination with a form-carrier, of form-rollers therefor, a distributing-roll with which the form-rollers are in contact, arms pivoted on the shaft of the distributing-roll, said arms carrying the bearings for the form-rollers, a shaft, links between the shaftand the pivoted arms, whereby a movement of the shaft causes a movement of the arms on their pivots, a segment for rotating the shaft, and means for operating the segment, substantially as described.

14. In a printingmachin e, the combination with a plurality of printing-couples, of a plurality of inking mechanisms, pivoted arms in which the bearings for the form-rollers of the inking mechanisms are mounted, a plurality of shafts, one for each set of form-rollers, a segment connected to each shaft, and means for simultaneously operating the segments, substantially as described.

15. In a printing-machine, the combination with a plurality of printing-couples, of a plurality of inking mechanisms including distributing and form rollers, arms pivoted on the shafts of the distributing-rollers and carrying the bearings of the form-rollers, a plurality of shafts, one for each set of form-rollers, connections-between each shaft and its form-rollers, a segment connected to each shaft, and means for simultaneously operating the segments, substantially as described.

16. In a printing-machine, the combination with a plurality of printing-couples, of a plurality of inking mechanisms including form and distributing rollers, arms pivoted on the shafts of the distributing-rollers and carrying the bearings for the form-rollers, a plurality of shafts, one for each set of form-rollers, connections between each shaft and its formrollers, a segment connected to each shaft, and a worm-shaft for simultaneously operating the segments, substantially as described.

17. In a printing-machine, the combination with three form-cylinders and two impressioncylinders, the impression-cylinders being arranged between the form-cylinders, of a plurality of sets of form-rollers, a shaft, connections between the shaft and the form-rollers of two of the form-cylinders, a second shaft, connections between this shaft and the formrollers of the third formcylinder, gearing be tween the two shafts, and means for rotating one of.the shafts and thus causing the formrollers to move toward and away from the paths of the forms on the form-cylinders, substantially as described.

18. In a printing-machine, the combination with three form-cylinders and two impressioncylinders, the impression-cylinders being arranged between the form-cylinders, of a plurality of sets of inking mechanisms including form and distributing rollers, arms pivoted on the shafts of the distributing-rollers and carrying the bearings for the form-rollers, a shaft, connections between the shaft and the arms which carry the bearings of the formrollers for two-of the form-cylinders, asecond shaft, connections between this shaft and the arms which carry the bearings of the formrollers for the third form-cylinder, gearing between the two shafts, and means forrotating one of the shafts and thus causing the form-rollers to move toward and away from the paths of the forms on the form-cylinders, substantially as described.

19. In a printing-machine, the combination with three form-cylinders and two impressioncylinders, the impression-cylinders being arranged between the form-cylinders, of a plurality of sets of form-rollers, a worm-shaft, connections between the. worm-shaft and the form-rollers of two of the form-cylinders, said connections including segment arms which are operated by the worm shaft, a second worm-shaft, connections between this shaft and the form-rollers of the third form-cylinder, said connections including segment-arms, gearing between the two shafts, and means for rotating one of the shafts and thus causing the form-rollers to move toward and away from the path of the forms on the form-cylinders, substantially as described.

20. In a printing-machine, the combination with three form-cylinders and two impressioncylinders, the impression-cylinders being arranged between the form-cylinders, of a plu'- rality of sets of inking mechanisms including form and distributing rollers, arms in which the bearings of said form-rollers are mounted, said arms being pivoted on the shafts of the distributing-rollers, a shaft, connections between the shaft and the pivoted arms which carry the form-rollers for two of the formcylinders, a second shaft, connections between this shaft and the pivoted arms which carry the form-rollers for the third form-cylinder, gearing between the two shafts, and means for operating one of the shafts, substantially as described.

21. In a printing-machine, the combination with three form-cylinders and two impressioncylinders, the impression-cylinders being arranged between the form-cylinders, of a plurality of sets of inking mechanisms including form and distributing rollers, arms in which the bearings of said form-rollers are mounted, said arms being pivoted on the shafts of the distributing-rollers, a worm-shaft, connections between the worm-shaft and the pivoted arms which carry the form-rollers for two of the form-cylinders, said connections including segment-arms operated by the worm-shaft, a second worm-shaft, connections between this shaft and the pivoted arms which carry the form-rollers for the other form-cylinder, said connections including segment-arms operated by the worms on this shaft, gearing between of sets of form-rollers, pairs of pivoted arms in which the bearings of the form-rollers are mounted, a plurality of shafts, one for each set of form-rollers, connections between the shafts and the pivoted arms which carry the form-rollers, segment-arms on the shafts, a worm-shaft for operating the segment-arms of the shafts of the form-rollers for two of the form-cylinders, a worm-shaft for operatingthe segment-arms of the form-rollers for the third form-cylinder, gearing between the two wormshafts, and means for operating one of the shafts, substantially as described.

23. In an inking mechanism employing two primary distributing-rolls, the combination with a shaft, of a gear thereon, gearing between said gear and said rolls, ashaft having a cam thereon parallel to the first shaft, gearing between the two shafts, a ductor-roll, and

means whereby the cam operates the ductorroll, substantially as described.

24:. In an inking mechanism employing two primary distributing-rolls, the combination with a shaft, of a gear thereon, gearing between said gear and said rolls, a shaft having a cam thereon parallel to the first shaft, gearing between the two shafts, and a vibrating mechanism for said distributing-rolls operated from said cam, substantially as described.

25... In an inking mechanism employing two primary distributing-rolls, the combination with a shaft, of a gear thereon, gearing between said gear and said rolls, a cam-shaft parallel to the first shaft, two cams on the camshaft, gearing between the two shafts, a duotor-roll, connections between one of the cams and the ductor-roll, whereby said cam oper-' ates the roll, and a vibrating mechanism for the distributing-rollsoperated from the other cam, substantially as described.

26. In an inking mechanism, the combination with two primary distributing-rolls, of a shaft, gearing between the said shaft and the distributingrons, a cam-shaft parallel to the first shaft, two cams on the cam-shaft, gearing between the two shafts, a ductor-roll, connections between one of the cams and the duotor-roll, a third shaft, arms on said third shaft engaging hubs, on the distributing-roll shaft, and means whereby said shaft is rocked from the other cam on the cam-shaft, substantially as described.

27. In an inking mechanism, the combination with two primary distributing-rolls, of a shaft, gearing between said shaft and the distributing-rolls, a cam-shaft parallel with the first shaft, a third shaft, arms on this shaft engaging hubs on the distributing-roll shaft,

means whereby said third shaft is rocked from a cam on the cam-shaft, a ductor-roll, a shaft having arms in which the ductor-roll is mounted, an arm extending from said shaft, and means whereby the arm is operated from a cam on the cam-shaft, substantially as described.

28. In aplanographic printing-machine, the combination with a plurality of form-carriers, of damping mechanisms, one for each carrier, means for operating all the damping mechanisms, and means for independently controlling the operation of each damping mechanism so as to vary the amount of moisture deposited by it on the form, substantially as described.

29. In a planographic printing-machine,the combination with a plurality of form-carriers, of a plurality of damping mechanisms, each mechanism including a ductor-roll and a fountain-roll, means for operating all the ductorrolls, and means for independently varying the length of time which each ductor-roll remains in contact with its fountain-roll, and thereby varying the amount of moisture imparted to the form, substantially as described.

30. In aplanographic printing-machine, the combination with a plurality of form-cylinders, of a plurality of damping mechanisms, each mechanism including a ductor-roll and a fountain-roll, a slide, a plurality of cams mounted on the slide, means whereby each cam operates a ductor-roll, and means for operating the slide, substantially as described.

51. In a planographic printing-machine, the combination with a plurality of form-cylinders, of a plurality of damping mechanisms, each mechanism including a ductor-roll and a fountain-roll, a slide, a plurality of adjustable cams mounted on the slide, means whereby each cam operates a ductor-roll, and means for operating the slide, substantially as described.

32. In a planographic printing-machine, the combination with a plurality of rotary printing-couples, of a plurality of damping mechanisms, one for the form-cylinder of each couple, each damping mechanism including a fountain-roll and a duetor-roll, a slide, a plurality of adjustable cams on the slide, connections whereby each cam operates a fountainroll, and operating connections between the shaft of one of the impression-cylinders and the slide, substantially as described.

33. In a planographie printing-machine, the combination with the side frames, of three form-cylinders and two impression-cylinders, the impression-cylinders being arranged between the form-cylinders, horizontal ways in the frame, boxes supported in the Ways and carrying the shafts of the impression-cylinders, means for moving the boxes, aplurality of sets of inking mechanisms including form and distributing rollers, and means for m0ving the form-rollers out of contact with the forms on the form-cylinders without moving them out of contact with the distributing-rollers, substantially as described.

84:. In aplanographic printing-machine, the combination with the side frames, of three form-cylinders and two impression-cylinders,

the impression-cylinders being arranged be tween the form-cylinders, horizontal ways in the frame, boxes supported in the Ways and carrying the shafts of the impression-cylinders, means for moving the boxes, a plurality of sets of inking mechanisms including form and distributing rollers, means for driving the form and impression cylinders, independent means for driving the inking mechanisms, and means for moving the form-rollers out of contract with the forms on the cylinders without moving them out of contact with the distributing-rollers, substantially as described.

- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE F. READ.

Witnesses F. W. H. CRANE, GEO. A. DUNCAN. 

